With the price of gas skyrocketing, it's hard to imagine a hike in auto insurance rates. Unfortunately, auto insurance rates are once again on the rise. While some reasons for the hike in rates are beyond your control, some are definitely within your power. Cheap auto insurance is within your reach!
Cars are built with increasing complexity-a hybrid of internal combustion engines and electric motors, GPS, and technology that even allows your car to parallel park for you. Technology is outpacing the independent mechanic's ability to repair these elaborate systems, much less learn them. Drivers therefore have little choice but to take the car back to the dealership for repairs, which tend to cost much more. Rate increases are also due to nationwide rising medical costs. In fact, a report from the Insurance Research Council showed a 22% increase in bodily injury claim severity from 2000 to 2006.
If you have bad credit and/or a bad driving record, your insurance premiums will be higher. Auto insurance companies include credit scores as one of the factors determining rates, so it is important to keep scores high in order to keep auto insurance cheap. Drivers with multiple moving violations or claims are seen as high-risk to insurers, and are therefore charged more; while drivers who have not had an accident or moving violation for a set number of years are often eligible for cheap auto insurance.
The type of car and how often it is used also plays into how much you pay in premiums. Luxury cars, sports cars with high horsepower, and cars that have low crash test ratings cost more to insure. Likewise, a long commute to and from work, combined with total dependency on your vehicle during the weekends, will cost you more. You can get cheap auto insurance by purchasing safe models of full-sized family sedans (when you are in the market for your next car). Also, carpool to work, and try scheduling all of your weekend errands together to cut your mileage.
Cheap car insurance is within reach. If you feel that you can get cheaper rates by switching auto insurance carriers, get free quotes here at GuideToCheapInsurance.com, obligation free. Simply enter your zip code in the box above to begin.